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Particularly popular are vegetables and herbs — tomatoes and basil are favourites — allowing growers a homegrown supply of fresh produce, in favour of store-bought veggies. “It’s definitely been a very good year for plant sales so far this year,” said Wim Vander Zalm, owner of Art Knapp Plantland in Port Coquitlam.

Liam Murphy isn’t quite sure how he’s going to squeeze it all in. For his two-hour talk at Coquitlam’s Place des Arts next Friday, the head brewmaster for Yellow Dog Brewing will have a lot on his plate to share about his trade. But Murphy has broken his lecture into four categories to make it all fit.

The Women in Business who are in the spotlight in this Tri-City News feature section are entrepreneurs, mentors and leaders. So it seems an opportune time to highlight an opportunity this month for them and other women in the Tri-Cities to take part in an inspirational business event being held on International Women’s Day.

A Coquitlam man says he isn’t taking the news of his favourite grocery store closing without a fight. David Hostetter, who lives about three blocks from the Thrifty Foods at Austin Station and shops there a few times a week, said he was devastated to learn the store would be closing by the end of April — and said he’s not the only one.

Jan 13, 2016 – Just what the Doctor ordered: Best Blue’s Devils find winning formula by getting down to business

In a manner of speaking, you could say that when the core group of the current Dr. Charles Best Blue Devils senior girls basketball team first came together as ninth graders back in the fall of 2012, they resembled a start-up business with the potential to execute an ambitious plan of growth.

The National Confectionery Sales Association’s Tampa, Florida-based Candy Hall of Fame (CHOF) inducted Sigvardsen in October, along with nine other candy industry luminaries from around the world. The 117-year-old CHOF has inducted a maximum of 12 people each year since 1971, so Sigvardsen is in rarefied company.

A Port Coquitlam firm with strong ties to kids’ groups will be the lead sponsor for the inaugural PoCo Grand Prix. This week, the city of PoCo named Dominion Lending Centres as the title presenter of the bicycle race, happening in downtown PoCo on July 15.

April 5, 2016 – Westwood Honda: connecting to the community for almost 40 years

Serving the Tri-Cities since 1978, Port Moody’s Westwood Honda is not just about selling and repairing cars. It’s about supporting the community.

“We genuinely care about our customers and the communities we live in,” says General Manager, Colin Case. “Our business is built on word of mouth, and that’s why we tailor our business practices to our customers’ needs and not the other way around.”

snapd Tri-Cities owner Carlo Zarrillo is pleased to announce and welcome new partners, Jeff and Coriana Burke, from Spin Key Media to the publication. The local entrepreneurs have purchased 50 per cent of the company and are thrilled to be working with Carlo to continue to grow snapd’s clients partnerships and readership while creating an even stronger presence in the Tri-Cities.

Feb 18, 2016 – Give her Wings gala a hot ticket

Hosted by Soroptimist International of the Tri-Cities on Feb. 27 at the Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club, the event is being held to raise funds for programs supporting women and girls. It will be an opportunity to meet and mingle, enjoy a cocktail party, take part in raffles and a live and silent auction, and vote on your favourite lip syncing group.

In 2006, when KidSport Tri-Cities launched to help local families pay for sport registrations, it handed out 24 grants. ‘I remember we were so ecstatic with that number,’ executive director Chris Wilson said. But, last year, thanks to proceeds from its spring and summer sales of used sporting equipment as well as the Operation Red Nose drive, a SD43/KidSport golf tournament, pub 50/50 draws and private donations, KidSport Tri-Cities passed out 667 grants totaling more than $163,000.

Jan 11, 2016 – JOEY Restaurant Group Awarded Top Employer for Young People in Canada

JOEY Restaurants was deemed A Top Employed for Young People due to the organization’s availability of co-op or work-study programs, mentorship and training opportunities, appreciation and recognition for those who complete courses and professional designation as well as its career management programs.

Last spring, Diana Watson and her cousin Kathy-Ann Nobbs-Thiessen led the Scotiabank MS Walk warm-up in Port Moody – a venture that would be easy for most fitness instructors but, for Diana, was something of a miracle.

Eight years ago, Diana was diagnosed with MS and three years ago, just as she opened her Port Coquitlam studio, she sustained her second attack as a result of the disease. Her staff and students rallied and, for the walk, put together a team in her honour. They surpassed their fundraising goal as did the charity, which brought in more than $62 000 on the day.

A Tri-City technology company has partnered with School District 43 to introduce computer coding to students as young as 12. And on Tuesday, school trustees got a peek at what some Grade 6 and 7 students are learning with the help of Finger Food Studios.Read the full article from the Tri-City News HERE

Oct 21, 2015 – Life Lessons: Joseph Choi, ShelfGenie

Joseph Choi thought he knew the value of hard work. At age 13, he started working atMcDonald’s, and through high school and university he often juggled two jobs in addition to school work. He continued the habit throughout his 20s, taking intense jobs on Bay Street and in IT.

A new partnership between Port Moody’s Shop Local founders and the city’s WorkBC Centre will give independent business owners a chance to hear from their fellow entrepreneurs in a TED Talk-style event and a series of workshops starting next week.

After 25 years, BIV continues to highlight the achievements of BC’s young entrepreneurs, executives and professionals by finding 40 outstanding professionals worthy of the Forty under 40 distinction. Winners, born after 1975, have demonstrated excellence in business, judgment, leadership and community contribution. Chamber members, Pomme Natural Markets and Kiewit both topped the list.

The three divas, MLA Selina Robinson, Diana Dilworth and Polly Krier hosted Diva en Blanc on the rooftop of Hard Rock Casino Vancouver. Approximately 80 people were in attendance for the dinner in white event.

Vancouver Golf Club located in Coquitlam will be hosting the LPGA’s CP Women’s Open on August 23rd. Some of the world’s top golfers will be teeing up with 70 000 – 100 000 spectators expected to attend.

Nov 2015 – Ranger West Expands Reach of Life Insurance Products to Greater Vancouver Area

Ranger West, a business in Port Moody, BC, Canada, is proud to announce that after 25 years of service, they are expanding their operations. They are now offering their line of insurance products outside of Port Moody, covering the entire greater Vancouver area. These products are available for personal and business clients alike.

With no brick-and-mortar store, Mollie Minis is no stranger to the Vancouver food market scene. The pink stand traces around the city and serves adorable bite-sized donuts. Bought either by the bag or bucket full these doughy and delicious offerings are cooked right before your eyes.

Saturday, October 17 marked the official grand opening of Port Moody’s Propel Dance Inc. On hand to celebrate were family, friends and members of the community including Port Moody Mayor, Mike Clay and members of the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce.Read the full article HERE

Many people talk about doing more, but one Vancouver business is putting its money where its mouth is. Last year, Paul MacDonald, owner of Ethical Waste Services made the decision to donate 50% of the company’s profits to ACCESS Youth Outreach Services, which provides programs and support to at-risk youth in Metro Vancouver.

After nearly six years on the street of the Tri-Cities, the first Project Reach Out bus is heading to retirement. The bus, which has played a major role in the Access Youth-run program, will be replaced by a newer vehicle on Sept 4, in time for the new school year.

Some 1000 shoppers were through the doors within the first hour of the KidSport Tri-Cities summer sale. The biannual event at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex in Coquitlam drew families from around the Tri-Cities looking to suit up for the fall and winter season with new and used gear.

Locally based company, Dynamic Structures has won the bid as lead contractor for one of the world’s largest astronomical observatories. The $243.5 million commitment for the Thirty Metre Telescope (TMT) relies on Dynamic Structures for the key components.